Well from the sound of it, I was horribly hazed as a pledge because I forced to study, forced to join campus organizations, forced to do community service hours, forced to attend functions of Beta Theta Pi, forced to clean my house, forced to get a 2.5 GPA, forced to learn the songs of Beta (many that are used in our Initiation ceremony...), forced to learn about history of my organization, forced to play or watch intramural sports, forced to attend pledge class meetings, forced to attend rituals.
However, I was never forced to drink, never paddled, never physically abused, never yelled at, never went on a meaningles scavenger hunt, made to wear clothes that violated good taste.
None of those things I did or our pledges do now creates a situation like the ones described by the FIPG.
The term Pledge is still used by the General Fraternity of Beta Theta Pi, and is the choice word when describing a potential new member.
Now that I find out I was hazed, perhaps I should explain our pledge program to demonstrate the impact of duties.
My pledge program was out of 1000 points and a minimum of 700 points were needed in order to initiate (all 24 of my pledge class reached these goals)
1st Semester GPA x100 = points for scholarship with a minimum expectation of 250 points needed to be earned
Fraternity Lore: 6 tests and 1 final. An 80% was needed to pass the tests and if passed 12 points were given. For the final you got your % of points out of 28. Minimum of 90 points had to be earned. Max of 100
Intramurals 10 points for each game you went to, 5 points for each game you went to and watched. Minimum of 40 points to be earned, max of 90.
Songs 25 songs to be learned with tests in lyrics and actual singing. 2 points awarded for each song. If failed but then later passed 1 point is given. Min of 42 points, and max of 50.
Outside Involvement: 40 points given for each outside organizations involved in. minimum of 80 points, max of 160.
Philanthropy 1 point for every verified hour of community service. Min of 18 , max of 50.
House Events 10 points given for attendance at chapter planned parties, serenades, BADD, __kai__events, other approved functions.
Obviously losing a point for not doing your duty, in the end doesn't make or break your opportunity to initiate unless you are having a lot of trouble in other areas.
The way the signing off aspect is done is that a pledge does their duty then asks the active to sign off, just to make sure that it has been done. Guys are honestly not pricks about making things spotless, that's the point of having them doing it everyday. If I think something hasn't been done properly, I just tell them to make sure that they get it tommorrow. Again it is a 15 minute thing.
As to comment on Heather's remarks that perhaps we aren't choosing the right guys for our house. One this is a ridiculous statement, b/c you don't choose new members on whether they are going to have pride in the house. Two, my chapter at the University of Nebraska was one of 4 chapters to win the John Riley Knox Award for Chapter Excellence this past summer. We also had the highest GPA on our campus and in all of Beta with a 3.51 this past Spring Semester. 100% of our membership for the past 4 years has been involved with at least one campus organization. We also won the excellence in recruiting award this past summer, as well as the Best Ongoing Service project award as well. I find it hard to believe that we are recruiting the wrong type of guys. If for some reason you may doubt my statment of these awards won click
here and
here and
here. Further, I told my parents about it all the time when I was a pledge, and my parents know that our pledges do it now.
I'm honestly surprised that so many people think this is hazing, I honestly feel that I have to defend myself. I truthfully never once thought to ask until I saw the esteemed Mr. Earp's comment.
Perhaps if you all saw the way in which the duties were carried out you would see that the request is reasonable and not entirely difficult at all.